Cameron Smith survived a closing bogey on Sunday to win LIV Golf London at Centurion Club on Sunday.
Smith stood on the 18th green, put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes, trying to process the conflicting range of emotions following Sunday’s dramatic finish at LIV Golf London.
He was elated to win the individual title, his second victory in 13 regular-season starts since joining LIV. It was a perfect way to build momentum entering his title defence in two weeks at The Open Championship.
Yet he was disappointed to have missed a six-foot putt for par that would’ve forced the first team playoff in LIV Golf history. Instead, his bogey on the final hole at Centurion Club dropped his all-Australian Ripper GC into second, one shot behind 4Aces GC, this season’s points leaders who won their second team title of the season while having to sweat out Smith’s putt.
“Obviously thrilled about the individual win, but it would’ve been nice to get up there with the boys,” said Smith, who shot a final-round 68 for a winning score of 15 under. “It’s a bit of mixed emotions at the moment.”
? Hear from your #LIVGolf London winner, Cam Smith@rippergc_ pic.twitter.com/kCuMWqXCyq
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) July 9, 2023
Smith and teammate Marc Leishman, playing in the final group on Sunday, were the last hope for the Rippers to catch the 4Aces, who rallied from four strokes down to start the day to take the lead at 34 under.
The Rippers were at 33 under going into the final hole, the par-five 18th. Individually, Smith had a two-shot lead over the 4Aces’ Patrick Reed.
Smith was forced to lay up after his drive found the rough, but Leishman’s second shot was just off the back of the green. As Smith played his third shot, a gust of wind pushed his ball into the bunker. He blasted out to six feet. Leishman then completed his two-putt for birdie, levelling the team leaderboard while finishing in a tie for second individually with Reed.
Then the unexpected happened. After a brilliant week of putting – especially on Sunday as he holed more than 105 feet of putts in his first 10 holes – Smith’s par attempt slid past the hole. His individual win was sealed, but the opportunity for the Rippers’ first team victory was lost.
? BUT… This missed putt just before meant @4AcesGC_ take the Team Title, one shot ahead of @rippergc_ #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/mMVR1xmSAa
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) July 9, 2023
“I really wanted Cam to make the one on the last there,” Leishman said. “He played great and putted great all week. To win the tournament and still walk off the green disappointed, I guess that’s what this is all about, the team format.”
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen finished fourth after a final-round 68 left him on 12 under, with Dean Burmester, who carded 69, a further five shots behind in a tie for 17th.
– Edited report from LIV Golf website
